One to look at of the adolescents on the changes in the pregnancy: promoting the mental health in the basic attention

promovendo à saúde mental na atenção básica

Abstract

This is a qualitative research based on a convergent-care methodology with ten pregnant teenagers' patients at a Primary Healthcare Unit. It seeks to identify the teenagers' perception on social, physical and emotional changes during pregnancy, how to face them, and the support received. The data was collected from August to September 2009 through semi-structured interview and participant observation until data saturation. The data was interpreted by content analysis that resulted in the following categories: facing the new, social, pregnancy physical and emotional changes, and support network. The results indicated the teenagers appeared unprepared and immature to carry the gestation on. The pregnancy led to alterations such as body changes, concerns about the image, childbirth and the baby, more responsibility, sadness, joy, stress, fear, detachment from family and friends, changes in lifestyle and drop out of school. It trigged personal, family and partner reactions such as elaboration, acceptance, and denial, rejection, culminating in abortion and suicide attempts. The support network proved to be essential for it focused mainly on the mother and less on the health professionals. This study gave adolescents an opportunity to express their experiences during pregnancy. It reinforced the need of an interdisciplinary, integrated and customized health care service to the pregnant teenager as well as the support network and mental health promotion actions. It contributed as well to the production of knowledge on the subject and it can subsidize health care changes on primary care practices.